Children’s Justice Act Committee (CJAC)
Forecasted
The Children’s Justice Act Committee grant funds Maryland initiatives to improve the science and practice of child abuse investigations and judicial procedures, prioritizing trauma reduction and systemic reforms.
Funder: Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2027: Online application submission deadline (projected) | July 2027: Last day to request Grants Management System (GMS) User ID (projected)
Funding Amounts: ~$282,000 total; typical awards $25,000–$100,000 for 12 months; 5–7 awards expected.
Summary: Supports Maryland programs that improve the investigation and judicial handling of child abuse and neglect, with a focus on minimizing trauma to victims.
Key Information: Direct services are not permitted; funding is for systemic improvements and training.
Description
The Children’s Justice Act Committee (CJAC) grant, administered by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, funds projects in Maryland aimed at enhancing the investigation, prosecution, and judicial handling of cases involving child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation. The program emphasizes approaches that minimize trauma to child victims and supports systemic improvements, such as multidisciplinary team (MDT) capacity building, law enforcement training, and forensic interviewing enhancements. CJAC funding is intended for the development and implementation of innovative, evidence-informed practices that improve outcomes for children and families in the child welfare and justice systems. Direct victim services are not eligible for funding under this program.
